London, 20 April 2016–The Executive Director wishes to express his sincere condolences on behalf of the International Cocoa Organization to the Government of Ecuador and its people, following the devastating earthquake that hit the country on 16 April 2016.

This disaster has resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries as well as unprecedented destruction, affecting much of the national infrastructure.

The ravaged areas include some of the most important cocoa producing areas in the country and hundreds of farmers’ lives have been shattered by its effects.

The Government has responded with a rescue and replenishment programme for the delivery of much needed supplies to the affected areas, but it estimates that it will take years for the country to recover from this terrible event.

A special fund for international assistance and donations to help with the recovery process in Ecuador has been set up under the Crowdfunder domain: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/sos-ecuador/. If preferred, donations can also be made through the Ecuadorian Embassy’s bank account in the United Kingdom:

Account Name:            Embajada de Ecuador

Account number:         01079078

Sort code:                    23-47-36

IBAN:                            GB89BBVA23473601079078

SWIFT:                          BBVAGB2L

The Organization would like to show its firm support to Ecuador, being a long-standing and important Member country, by making a contribution to the Fund, in order to assist in the recovery process, and would also encourage all Member countries and Observer Countries, as well as our partners in the cocoa and chocolate industry, to donate to the recovery fund.

 

Papua New Guinea on 21 April 2016 signed the International Cocoa Agreement 2010, the United Nations Treaty Section has confirmed.

Click here to see the official notification of signature to the Agreement from the United Nations.

Pictured: H.E. Mr. Rupa Mulina, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Permanent Mission of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea

The International Cocoa Council and subsidiary bodies, including the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy, as well as the Economics and Administration and Finance Committees, will meet at the Bávaro Convention Center, Bávaro, Dominican Republic, 26 – 28 May 2016, immediately following the Third World Cocoa Conference, to be held at the same location.

Provisional Timetable of Meetings, 26 – 28 May 2016, Bávaro, Dominican Republic

ED(MEM) 1000-Rev.1
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Arrangements for the May 2016 meetings

ED(MEM) 1001
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International Cocoa Council: Draft Agenda

ICC-93-1-Rev.1
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Administration and Finance Committee: Draft Agenda

AF-9-1-Rev.1
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EC-7-1
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Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy: Draft Agenda

CB-32-1
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